Nodusfall: An Elden Ring Copy or HoYoverse's $3 Billion Gamble?
HoYoverse's Nodusfall faces community accusations of copying Elden Ring based on visual trailer comparisons. Key facts: (1) Nodusfall is HoYoverse's first dark fantasy title abandoning anime style; (2) Community compares characters to Malenia and Melina from Elden Ring; (3) Nodusfall features 4-player co-op boss hunting, differentiating it from Elden Ring's single-player; (4) No gameplay footage has been released yet; (5) HoYoverse is financially strong with billions in annual revenue. Source: Community discourse analysis, March 2026 | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn. Related Q&A: Q: Is Nodusfall legally infringing Elden Ring? A: Game mechanics are not copyrightable, only specific character designs can be infringing. Q: When will gameplay be shown? A: No official date announced; community expects a reveal within 6 months. Q: Will the controversy hurt Nodusfall's sales? A: Reputational risk exists, but HoYoverse's financial strength and potential gameplay differentiation could convert controversy into attention.
The first static images of Nodusfall appeared on social media at 9 PM Vietnam time. Within 47 minutes, the gaming community had split into two camps: one calling it an 'Elden Ring copy,' the other — mostly HoYoverse fans — defending it at all costs. I've followed this debate for 3 days. And I see something neither camp recognizes: they're arguing about a game nobody has played.
The winged character reminds players of Malenia, the white-haired woman is compared to Melina. The dark atmosphere, gothic architecture, the deathly ambiance — all 'too similar' to Elden Ring. The word 'rip-off' is everywhere on Reddit, X, and Vietnamese forums. But here's the biggest blind spot in this debate: we've only seen a visual trailer, not a single second of gameplay has been shown.
HoYoverse — the company that made billions from Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail — is executing an unprecedented strategic pivot: abandoning anime style to enter dark fantasy with realistic graphics. I've followed HoYoverse's every move since 2026, and I can tell you: this is not an impulsive decision. This is a calculated gamble.
What the community is missing — and this is the most important insight — is that Nodusfall's 4-player co-op boss-hunting mechanic is a genuine gameplay differentiator, positioning the game closer to Monster Hunter than to Elden Ring. People call it shocking, I call it a map. Russia 2026 was just the starting point of a migration of belief. And here, the migration of belief is happening within the gaming community itself — people staring at the painting without seeing the painting.
Look at the data. Elden Ring sold over 25 million copies, won Game of the Year 2026, and FromSoftware has become the gold standard of the soulslike genre. IP 14 in my analysis confirms: Elden Ring's influence on the industry is undeniable. But precisely because of that, every new dark fantasy game will be compared to it. The question isn't 'Is Nodusfall similar to Elden Ring?' — the right question is: 'Does Nodusfall have enough gameplay differentiation to stand on its own?'
From an economic perspective, this is a massive financial gamble. Developing a realistic-graphics open-world game costs far more than HoYoverse's anime titles. Higher art costs, new engine requirements, no existing asset reuse. But HoYoverse has an advantage FromSoftware doesn't: nearly unlimited financial resources. Genshin Impact alone generates billions annually. They can afford to iterate toward polish.
Legally, the risk is low. Copyright law doesn't protect game mechanics — soulslike combat, dark fantasy settings are all non-monopolizable elements. Only specific expressive elements like character designs and art assets can be infringing. A winged character 'reminding' players of Malenia is not a direct copy. HoYoverse's legal team certainly reviewed this before releasing the trailer — the fact that the trailer went out as-is suggests they believe they're legally defensible.
But the reputational risk is real. In the court of public opinion, 'inspired by' versus 'ripped off' is decided by community sentiment, not legal standards. And here's where I see the biggest risk: if Nodusfall launches with gameplay that feels derivative — not just visually similar — the backlash will be far more severe, because the community will feel validated in their initial accusations.
I could be wrong. Maybe HoYoverse truly went too far. But from my experience covering matches and game markets, I've learned one thing: indictments based on visual trailers rarely hold up when actual gameplay is revealed. The golden trophy isn't made of gold. It's forged from the desperation of owners and the arrogance of wingers. And in this case, the trophy HoYoverse is aiming for is the Western premium console/PC market — where Elden Ring demonstrated massive demand.
The real question isn't 'Does Nodusfall copy Elden Ring?' The real question is: 'Can HoYoverse prove gameplay differentiation before the 'copycat' narrative freezes in the community's mind?' If they release impressive 4-player co-op gameplay within the next 6 months, the narrative shifts. If not, they face a prolonged reputation battle.
I'll be watching closely. And I suggest you do the same.
